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The Secret Life of Real Estate and Banking
Tracing the history of housing cycles in the United States, this examination shows how the banking system reacts to prosperity and recession and reveals the ways regulations enacted after each collapse tend to disappear when boom times return. With its invaluable insights and practical advice, the discussion is aimed at both novice and experienced investors who want to know why the real estate cycle moves as it does, how it can be forecasted in advance, and how best to profit from this knowledge.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 26, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book tremendously. I don't remember the last time I learned so much. Fractional reserve banking. The enclosure of rent. How title is a government-granted license. The history of land speculation in the U.S.! Very academic, highly researched. I never knew I was so passionate about economics! Highly recommend, as so few people in our society possess the knowledge that this book contains.
January 12, 2020
Highly educational and enlightening on the history of the corrupt and self interested bankers, politicians and entrepreneurs in the US over the last 200 years. The jargon and economic principles in the book were often beyond my comprehension but I still thoroughly enjoyed the read and now understand the basics to better enable myself to prepare for the next real estate cycle boom and bust.
May 24, 2020
Speaking as someone who’s not particularly into the history genre, this was akin to eating grains of sand, albeit a very nutritious one. Nevertheless I still give it a 4-star for the nutritional content - at least now I have an inkling what Ray Dalio is in about. A gem find.
September 24, 2017
Hidden gem on economic cycles in real estate and land prices
June 22, 2020
Best book I’ve read on credit and real estate.
Want to read
December 1, 2021recommended by
Jason Pizzino
Jason Pizzino
March 11, 2014
If it were fiction it would be in the genre of Brave New World. It removes the matrix that hides the boom and bust, or at least points out some pits in the past, and hopefully help you recognise the pits ahead.
November 30, 2014
Good to read it
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews